What does John 9:13 mean?

Jesus chose a man blind from birth (John 9:1–2) and granted him sight (John 9:6–7). This echoes how God, through His grace, offers salvation to those who would otherwise never have had it. It also gives a potent example proving that not all suffering is a punishment for that person's wrongdoing (John 9:3–5). The people of the city recognize the man and are shocked that he is now able to see. A few doubt this is the same person (John 9:8–9), but most are more interested in knowing how he came to be healed (John 9:10). The man—who left Jesus to wash his eyes while still blind—knows little about how his eyes were cured, other than the fact that it was Jesus who spoke to him (John 9:11).

If the man's sudden change in condition wasn't controversial enough, referring to Jesus certainly was. This is likely one reason the people bring the formerly blind man to the Pharisees. Jesus has had recent arguments with these religious leaders (John 5:18; 7:32; 8:39–41). This miraculous healing not only defies their legalism surrounding the Sabbath (John 9:14), but it also violates their traditional interpretation which forbade mixing clay on those days.

It's important not to automatically condemn everything the Pharisees do. As the religious leaders of their people, these men are supposed to investigate such incidents. As was the case with John the Baptist, the scribes and Pharisees are completely justified in asking what has happened and why. The problem is not that they asked questions—it's that they brought only hardened hearts and hypocritical attitudes, not sincerity. There are those within this sect more open to the truth (John 7:43; 9:16; 10:19).